Inking mechanism for rotary plate-printing machines



Sept. 18 1923. 11,468,485

. F- C. MARQUARDT INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PLATE PRINTING MACHINESOriginal Filed Oct. 25, 1919 Sept. 18, 1923.

F. C. MARQUARDT INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PLATE PRINTING MACHINES 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct. 25, 1919 :23 ATTORNEY,

, F. C. MARQUARDT INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PLATE PRINTING MACHINESOriginal Filed Oct. 25 1919 5 SheetsSheet 5 M Mn 7 N M Mm m/ M 0 A 7 mwmw Patented Sept. 18, 1923.

entree stares lAtdAdS PATENT @FHCE.

FRANK C. MARQUARDT, OLF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN BANKNOTE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PLATE-PRINTING- MACHINES.

Application filed Gctober 25, 1919, Serial No. 333,324 Renewed February17, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. MAR UARDT, a citizen of the United States,residing at the borough of Brooklyn, in the city of New York, county ofKings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Inking Mechanisms for Rotary Plate-Printing Machines, ofwhich the following is aspecification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying draw ings, which form a part thereof.

The invention relates to inking mechanisms for rotary plate printingmachines, and more particularly to those characteristics thereof bywhich the application of ink to the plate is controlled.

In plate printing machines where a plurality of colors are used, it isnecessary to use a different plate for each color, and to have all ofthe plates of the same size, in order to secure register of thesucceeding impressions, by means of register marks on the differentplates. It is also customary to ink the entire surface of the plate,irrespective of the size of the portion of the design thereon, the inkupon the top, or non-printing surface of the plate, being removed by thewiping cloth or rag. Since the quantity of ink actually required to makean impres sion, compared with the total volume of ink applied to theplate, is small, the loss of ink is great, the extent of this loss beinginversely proportioned to the size of the portion of a design upon aplate.

The main object of the present invention is to so construct the inkingmechanism as to restrict the application of ink to a plate to the leastpossible area commensurate with the proper filling of the lines of theportion of the design upon a plate, thus avoidi 11g the application ofink to other portions of the plate and effecting a material saving ofink.

An. inking mechanism made in accordance with my invention issoconstructed as to permit the adjustment thereof in a manner to varythelength of the portion of the plate which is inked, in order that themachine particularly to the sign thereon makes this necessary. Othercl'iarac-teristics of the invention relate to mechanisms for securing aproper relation of the inking roll or rolls to the plate, and to thedistributing rolls for conveying ink from the ink fount to said inkingroll or rolls.

The invent-ion consists in the novel features of construction andcombination of parts hereinafter set forth and described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an inking mechanism made in accordancewith my invention, with port-ions of the side frame of the machineremoved;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the cam, for actuating the spot inkingmechanism; and

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the adjusting means for controlling the throwof the spot inking roll.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the'several views.

In the accompanying drawings, I haveillustrated the invention inconnection with a printing machine wherein the plate cylinder is adaptedto carry two plates, although it is not my intention to limit theinvention to this particular type of machine.

In the embodiment of my invention, shown in the drawings, a platecylinder 5, having associated therewith an impression cylinder, orD-roll 6, is mounted upon a. power driven shaft 7. The cylinder 5 hasassociated therewith the usual wiping and polishing mechanism, not shownin the drawings, since the invention relates more inking mechanism.Mounted upon the frame of the machine, adjacent said cylinder 5, is anink fountain 8 of the usual construction, having a feed roll 9, the inkbeing conveyed from said roll .9 to the inking roll or rolls forapplying said ink to the plate, in any desired manner, as by thedistributing rolls 10 and 11. The rolls 9, 10 and 11 occupy a fixedrelation to each other, the function of these rolls being to properlyfeed the ink from the fountain and to out and distribute the inkpreparatory to its application to the inking roll or rolls.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown two such inking rolls, 12.and 13, both Ill) of which are designed to be used when the entireplateis to be inked, and one of ,FVlllCll, as 13, is removable from themachine so as to permit the use of the other roll, 12, alone when it isdesired to ink only limited areas of the plate.

The distributing rolls and 11, and the fountain roll 9, are continuouslydriven by meansof a gear train consisting of a gear 1% in mesh with agear carried by the shaft 7, a gear carried by the distributing roll 11,an idler gear 16, and a gear 17 carried by the roll 9. 7

To adaptthe mechanism for spot inking, :I mount the inking roll 12 in aframe 18 movable toward, and from, the plate cylinder 5, and provideautomatically acting means whereby the. movement of said frame will beso governed as to ensure the engagement of said roll 12 with the plateduring that interval only which may be necessary to secure the desiredapplication of ink to said plate. Preferably the frame 18 is mounted tohave rotative movement about the axis of the shaft carrying thedistributing roll 11, so as to maintain a constant engagement betweenthe rolls 11 and 12, and thus maintain the proper condition of theinkupon said roll prior to succeeding engagements thereof with the plateor plates upon the cylinder 5.

To secure the desired engagement and disengagement of the roll 12 fromthe plate, I providemeans actuated through the movement of the cylinder5, or other plate carrier, and operative upon said frame 18. This meansmay be, and preferably is, so constructed as to be capable of suchadjustment as will permit the controlof the initial application of inkto the plate by the roll 12, and also the duration of the application ofink to the plate, thus adapting the inking mechanism for useupondifferent plates, bearing designs which vary in size.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, this actuatingmeans for the roll 12 comprises a bell crank lever 19 mounted adjacentthe roll 12, one arm of.

the roller 25, said cam having one or more rises thereon, according tothe number of plates carried by the cylinder 5.

The roller is normally held in engagementwith the said cam by means of arod 26, slidably mounted in a pivotal block 27, and having one endpivotally connected with Y the arm of the lever 2 L, other than thatcarrying the roller 25. Encircling the rod 26 isa spring 28 bearing uponthe block 27- and upon an adjustable collar 29 carried by said rod, saidadjustable collar being provided to permit the regulation of the tensionof said spring 28. The directoscillation of the lever 24 for forcing theroll 12 into engagementwith the plate, is effected by means of the risesupon said cam, while the return oscillation thereof, for effecting thedisengagement of said roll 12 from the plate, is secured through themedium of said spring 28. To ensure ease of movement of said roll 12,

I provide a spring rod. 30,. pivotally. con- 7 nected at one end withsaid lever, and slidably mounted in a pivotalblock 31, a spring 32,opposed to the action of the spring 28., being seated between the block31 and an adjustable collar 33 carried by the said rod. The collar 33may be adjusted to develop the desired tension in the spring 32.

To permit the control of the point of initial engagement of the roll 12with the plate,

and the duration of this engagement, the

cam heretofore referred to is so mounted upon the shaft 7 as to beadjustable circumferentially thereof, as by means of a set screw3lpassing through the hub 35 of said cam, and is made in a plurality ofparallel sections, adjustable in relation to each other, each of saidsections having corresponding rises thereon. Means are provided wherebysaid cam sections, after adjustment, may be set in their adjustedpositions. In the accompanying drawings,'I have shown a cam formed oftwo parallel sections, 36 and37, each provided with two rises, 38 and39, one of said sections, as 36, being provided with segmental slotstherein through which the screw studs 40 and 4-1, carried by the othersection, pass. Each of said studs carries a clamp nut as shown.

To permit the desired adjustment of the roll 12 in relation to the planeof movement of the plate or plates, and the surface of the roll 11, forthe purpose of securing the clesired engagement ofsaid roll 12 with theplate and with said roll 11, I provide means regulatin theeffectiveleverage of the bell crank lever 19 upon the link 20 and also 7 providemeans whereby the frame 18 and the roll 12 carried thereby, may beminutely adjusted toward and from the roll 11. To

permit the adjustment of the effective lever.- age of the lever 19, Iprovide said lever with a T-slot 42in the stem of which is slidably.

mounted abearing block 48 carrying the pivot by means of'whic-h the link20 isconnected with said lever. Passing through the block t3 is a screw44, one endo'f which bears upon the top of the slot 42, and tlie otherendof'which bears upon the bottom of the stem of said slot. To securetheadjustment otthe roll 12in relation t0 h roll 11} and tovary thisrelation so as to permit the proper adjustment of said roll 12 withrelation to the plate upon the cylinder 5, I provide the shaft of theroll 11 with a bearing housedin a suitable recess 46 in the frame 18.Carried by said frame 18 is an extension 47 having rotatably mountedtherein, an adjustment screw 48 co-operating with suitable screw threadsin the bearing 45. After the adjustment by means of the screw 48, thebearing 45 may be locked in relation to the frame 18 by means of the setscrew 49. 7

hen it is desired to use a printing machine for spot inking only, themechanisms heretofore described are operative to secure the desiredtimely engagement and disengagement of the ink roll 12 with each plateupon the cylinder 5. It is sometimes desir able, however, to use amachine embodying this mechanism, with a plate which must be inked inits entirety and I therefore provide means whereby the spot inkingmechanism may be made inoperative to move the roll 12 away from theplate or plate cylinder, and thus ensure a continuous engagement of theroll 12 with the plate. \Vhen inking the entire plate, I also use theroll 13, this roll beingremo-ved from the machine, however, when thespot inking mechanism is operative. Secured to the frame of the machine,adjacent the arm 23, is a pivotal block 50, having mounted therein anadjustable stop screw 51, adapted to be engaged by said arm 23 and thusprevent the actuation of the lever 24 by the spring 28. 'VVhen it isdesired to make the spot inking mechanism inoperative, said screw 51 maybe so set as to engage the arm 23, and prevent oscillatory movement ofthe lever 24 by the spring 28, but when it is desired to have said spotinking mechanism operative, either the block is turned so as to move thescrew from the path of movement of said arm 23, or said screw isretracted in said block to aflord the proper clearance for the movementof said arm.

The arbors of the roll 13 are mounted in removable brackets 52, eachbracket being held against lateral disengagement by a plate 53. Saidbrackets 52 are supported in relation to the frame of the machine bymeans of bearing plates 54 and 55, arranged at different points aboutthe axis of said roll 13, and adjustment screws 56 and 57 mounted inscrew'threaded portions of said bracket. to supporting the brackets 52,also afford means by which said bracket may be adjusted to secure thedesired engagementof the roll 13 with relation to the plane of movementof a plate, and with the surface ofthe roll 11. These screws may also beused to bring the roll 13 out of operative relation to the plate, orsaid roll 11.

Said screws 56 and 57 in addition The operation of the herein describedmechanism is substantially as follows:

Assuming that the machine is to be used for spot inking, the roll 13 iseither removed entirely from the machine, or so set by means of theadjustment screws 56 and 57, as to be brought out of the operativerelation to both the roll 11 and the plate; so that no ink will beapplied to said roll 13, or to the plate therefrom. The stop screw 51 isthen adjusted so as to permit the free oscillation of the lever 24 underthe control of the cam sections 36 and 37, and the spring 28. The camsections 36 and 37 are then adjusted with relation to each other, sothat the rises 38 and 39 thereon, respectively, will have a lengthcommensurate with the length of plate to be inked, the screw studs 40and 41, and their co-operating nuts,'being used to set said sections inthis adjusted position. The cam is then set circumfcrentially of itsshaft 7, so as to bring the rises thereon to a position where theapplication of ink will coincide with the portion of the plate bearingthe design, the cam being set in this adjusted position by means of thescrew 34.

The shaft 7 may then be turned until the roller 25 is upon a high pointof a rise,

38 or 39, and the adjustment screws 44 and 48 actuated to secure thedesired con tact of the roll 12 with the plate and with the roll 11. henthis adjustment is secured, the inking mechanism is ready for a run ofthe printing machine.

As heretofore stated, the embodiment of the invention shown in thedrawings, contemplates the use of the invention with a two-platemachine, the inking mechanism being actuated twice with each rotation ofthe cylinder 5.

When the various parts are in the posi tion shown in 1 of the drawings,the roll 12 will be in engagement with a plate upon the cylinder 5, andsaid roll will be applying ink to said plate, receiving the ink from thefountain 8 through the rolls 9, 10 and 11, which, in the form of theinvention shown, are continuously rotated. As the rise 38 upon said campasses out of the operative relationto the roller the thrust of thespring 28 will rock the lever 24, cansing the roller 25 to follow thebearing surface of the cam and at the same time rocking the bell cranklever 19 through the link 22, the thrust of the spring upon said lever19 aiding in this movement. VVith the movement of the lever 19, theframe 13 will be turned about the axis of the shaft of the roll 11, thuscausing the roll 12 to move about this axis, remaining in contact withthe roll 11, but being brought out of lever 24 will be oscillatedagainst the tencontact with the plate upon the cylinder 5.

sion of the spring 28, thus, through the arm 23 and the link 22,oscillating the lever 19' in the reverse direction, against the tensionof the, spring 82, and turning-the frame 18 in a manner to force theroll 12 into en- 7 be varied within the limits afforded by the camstructure. By the construction described, the initial engagement and theduration of vthe engagement of the roll 12 with the plate, may beregulated to that actually required to secure an effective inking of theplate, and when the mechanism is once set, its succeeding functioningswill always be the same.

By continuously rotating the rolls 9,10- and 11, and maintaining theroll 12 in contact with said last named roll, the ink upon these rollswill always be so conditioned as to ensure uniformity in the inkingoperation.

\Vhile I have referred to the mechanism as being a spot inkingmechanism, it is to be understood that this term implies the inking of aportion of the entire width of a plate, and not an isolated area of saidplate.

\Vhen it is desired to use a mechanism, made in accordance with myinvention, for inking the entire surface of a plate, it ismerelyinecessary to oscillate the lever 24 in a manner.to bring the roll12 into engagement with the plate, and set the stop screw 51 so as toprevent movement of the lever 19 and hold the roller 25 out of theoperative relation to the rises 38 and 39. In this manner the roll 12may be maintained in a fixed relation to the plane of movement of theplates upon the cylinder 5. Then inking the entire plate, however, it isdesirable to subject the plates to two inking rolls, so that under theseconditions, the roll 13 is brought into operative relation with the petsand with the roll 11, in the manner heretofore referred to.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details ofconstruc-.

tionshown in the accompanying drawings, since it is apparent that suchmay be varied without departing from the sp1r1t and scope of theinvention. The mechanism described 7 may be used in connection with aplate cyl inder having mounted thereon any desired number of plates, bymerely modifying the contourof thecam carried by, and rotatable with,said cylinder. Various arrangements of the rolls 9', 10 and 11, otherthan that shown, may be employed for the purpose of effectively applyingink to the roll 12, although in practice I have found that theconstruction shown gives highly satisfactory results.

Having described the invention, what I claim asnew and desire to haveprotected by Letters Patent, is

1. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein aninking roll, means applying ink thereto, actuating means for said inkingroll operating in synchro-nism withthe movement of a plate to be inked,whereby said inking roll is moved into, and out of, engagement withtheplate, to. ensure the application of ink to only a portion of saidplate and means of said inking roll with the plate, may be varied andmeans whereby said actuating means may be made moperative to impartmovement to said roll. 7

3. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodyingtherein aninking roll, means applying ink thereto, actuating means for said inkingroll operating in synchronism with the movement of a plate to be inked,whereby said inking roll is moved into, and out of, engagement with theplate, to ensure the applicationof ink to only a portion of said plate,said actuating means including'therein an adjustable member, whereby theinterval of, engage- 'llO ment of said inking roll with the plate, may 7be varied andmeans whereby said actuating means may be made inoperativeto impart movement to .said rollj 4. An inking mechanism of thecharacter described, embodying therein an inking roll,-

means applying ink to said roll, a'movable framesu'pportingsaidroll,means operative upon said frame, whereby said rollmay be moved'toward, and from, a plate, means movable with the plate,adapted to operatively engage said lastnamed means, whereby saidframereceives timely actuationto ensure the application of ink to only'aportion of saidiplate and means whereby said means operative upont saidframe maybe made inoperative. to impart movement thereto. Y

for the plate, and adapted to operatively engage said last named means,whereby said frame recelves timely actuation to ensure the applicationof mk to only a portion of said plate and means whereby said meansoperative upon said frame may be made inoperative to impart movementthereto.

6. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein aninking roll, means applying ink to said roll, a movable frame supportingsaid roll,means operative upon said frame, whereby saidroll may be movedtoward, and from, a plate, a cam carried by, and movable with, thesupport for the plate, and adaptedto operatively engage said last namedmeans, whereby said frame receives timely actuation to ensure theapplication of ink to only a portion of said plate, said cam comprisinga plurality of sections adjustable with relation to each other, wherebythe duration of the engagement of the inking roll with the plate, may bevaried and means whereby said means operative upon said frame may bemade inoperative to impart movement thereto. v

7. An inking mechanisniof thecharacter described, embodying therein aninking roll, means applying ink to said roll,

a movable frame supportmg said roll,

means operative upon said frame, whereby said roll may be moved toward,and from, a plate comprising a bell crank lever, an oscillating leverhaving a projection thereon, a link connecting one arm of said bellcrank lever with said frame,

7 and a linkconn'ecting the other arm of said lever with saidoscillating lever, a cam carried by, and rotatable with, a platecylinder and having a rise thereon adapted to operatively engage one armof said oscillating lever, whereby said frame receives timely actuationto ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate andmeans whereby said oscillating lever may be made inoperative to impartmovement to said bell crank lever. 7

8. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein aninking roll, means applying ink to said roll, a move able framesupporting said roll,means operative upon said frame, whereby said rollmay be moved toward, and from, a plate comprising a bell crank lever, anoscillating lever having a projection thereon, a link connecting one armof said bell crank lever with said frame, and a link connecting theother arm of said 1 ver with said oscillating lever, a cam carried by,and rotatable with, a plate cylinder and having a rise thereon adaptedto operatively engage one arm of said oscillating lever, whereby saidframe receives timely actuation to ensure the application of ink to onlya portion of said plate, said cam comprising a plurality of sectionsadjustable with relation to each other, whereby the duration of theengagement of the inking roll with the plate, may be varied and meanswhereby said oscillating lever may be made inoperative to impartmovement to said bell crank lever.

9. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein aninking roll, means applying ink to said roll, a movable frame supportingsaid roll, means operative upon said frame, whereby said roll may bemoved toward, and from, a plate, a cam carried by, and movable with, thesupport for the plate, and adapted to operatively engage said last namedmeans, whereby said frame receives timely actuation to ensure theapplication of ink to only a portion of said plate, means whereby saidcam may be adjusted with relation to the sup- I port for said plate,whereby the initial engagement of said inking roll with said plate, maybe varied and means whereby said means operative upon said frame may bemade inoperative to impart movement thereto.

10. An inking mechanism of the char acter described, embodying thereinan inking roll, means applying ink to said roll, a movable framesupporting said roll, means operative upon said frame, whereby said rollmay be moved toward, and from, a plate, bell crank lever, an oscillatinglever having a projection th reon, a link connecting one arm. of saidbell crank lever with said frame, a link connecting the other arm ofsaid ever with said oscillating means, a cam carried by, and rotatablewith, a plate cylinder and having a rise thereon adapted to operativelyengage one arm of said oscillating lever, whereby said frame receivestimely actuation to ensure the application of ink to only a portion ofsaid plate, and means whereby the efitective leverage of said bell cranklever, with relation to said frame, may be adjusted.

11. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein aninking roll, means applying ink thereto, a bell crank lever, one arm ofwhich has a slot therein, an oscillating lever having aj j'e'ctionthereon, a movable pivot seated in the slot of said bell crank lever, anadjustment screw acting upon said pivot and seated within said slot, alink mounted upon said pivot, and pivotally connected with said frame, alink connecting the other arm of said bell crank lever with said proection, and a cam carried by, and rotatable with, a plate cylinder, andhaving arrise thereon adapted to operatively engage one arm ofsaidoscillating lever.

12. An inking mechanism of the character described embodying therein anink fount, a roll adapted to feed ink therefrom,

an inking roll, distributing rolls between said ink fount and saidinking"v roll, actuatmg means for said inking roll operating indescribed, embodying therein an inking roll,

means applying ink thereto, actuating means for said inking rolloperating in synchronism with the movement of a plate to be inked,whereby said inking roll is moved into, and out of, engagement with theplate, to ensure the application of ink to only a portion of saidplate,means whereby said actuating means for said inking roll may be madeinoperative, a second inking roll, and means whereby said last namedinking roll may be moved into, or out of, printing relation to a plate,whereby said mechanism may be used to ink only a portion of the plate,or the entire surface thereof.

14. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein aninking roll, means applying ink thereto, actuating means for said inkingroll operating in synchronism with the movement of a plate to be inked,whereby said inking roll is moved into, and out of, engagement with theplate, to ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate,means whereby said actuating means for said inking roll may be madeinoperative, brackets having pivotally mounted therein a second inkingroll, bearing plates, and adjustment screws carried by said brackets andengaging said plates,-

whereby said last named inking-roll may be 7 moved into, or out of,printing relation to a plate, or. said brackets, with the roll carriedthereby. may be removed to permit the inking mechanism to be used to inkonly a portion of the plate, or the entire surface thereof.

15. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein aninking roll, means applying ink to said roll, a movable frame supportingsaid roll, means operative upon said frame, whereby said roll may bemoved toward, and from, a plate comprising a bell crank lever, anoscillating lever hav ing a projection thereon, a link connecting onearm of said bell crank lever with said frame, a link connecting theother arm of said lever with said oscillating means, and oppositelyacting springs operative upon said bell crank lever and said oscillatinglever, and a cam carried by, and rotatable with, a

.plate cylinder and having a rise thereon adapted to operatively engageone arm of said oscillating lever, whereby said frame receives timelyactuation to ensure the appli-I cation of ink to only a portion of saidplate. 7 16. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodyingtherein an ink fount, a roll adapted to feed ink therefrom, an inkingroll, distributing rolls between said ink fount and said inking roll,actuating means for said inking roll operating in synchronism with themovement of a plate' to be inked, whereby said inking roll is movedinto, and out of, engagement with the plate, to ensure the applicationof ink to only a portion of said plate, means continuously rotating saidink fount roll, said inking roll and said distributing rolls, supportingmeans for said inking roll, whereby its movement into, orv out of,engagement with a plate, is about the axis of the distributing rollengaging same, to'ensure continuous engagement of said inking roll andsaid disward, and from, the plates upon said cylin-' der, and a camhaving a plurality of rises thereon, carried by, and movable with, saidcylinder, and adapted to operatively engage said last named means, thenumber of rises on said cam corresponding innumber with the number ofplates upon said cylinder, whereby said frame receives timely actuationto ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate, saidcam comprising a plurality of sections adjustable with rela tion to eachother, whereby the duration of the engagement of the inking roll withthe plate, may be varied, and said cam in its entirety beingadjustablecircumferentially of said cylinder, whereby the initialmovement of said inking roll with the plate, may be varied.

In witness whereof I have hereunto ailixed my signature, this 23d day ofOctober, 1919,

in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK C. MARQUARDT. lVitnesses: V v

F. T.-WnN'rwon'rH, Y l/VILLIAM H. VooRHIs,

